Black-necked stilt Himantopus mexicanus

Identification Tips:

• Length: 13 inches
• Large, very long-legged shorebird
• Long, very thin black bill
• Pink legs
• Juvenile similar to adult female
• Legs extend well beyond tail in flight

Adult male:

• White spot above eye in dark cap
• Black cap, hindneck, nape, back, underwings and upperwings
• White tail and rump
• White forehead, lores, chin, throat, breast and belly

Adult female:

• Similar to adult male, but has a brownish-black back

Juvenile:

• Similar to adult female, but brownish back feathers have broad pale brown edges

Similar species:

American Avocet, also has long thin bill and legs, but is larger, and has white on back, dark legs, and rusty or gray head and neck.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.